Several Acadia hiking trails, including Asticou Ridge Trail, Harbor Brook Trail, and the Jordan Stream Path, extend into David Rockefeller’s property.
A new trail that cuts across Rockefeller’s land in a west to east direction from Eliot Mountain should be ready to open this summer. Map courtesy of the Land and Garden Preserve

One of America’s wealthiest individuals has decided to celebrate his 100th birthday in style by donating not money, but more than 1,000 acres of fields, forest, streams and a freshwater pond on Mount Desert Island to a local nonprofit organization.

Billionaire David Rockefeller will make a formal announcement Friday of his gift of Little Long Pond and surrounding land to the Land and Garden Preserve of Mount Desert Island.

The Land and Garden Preserve is a public charity governed by a 25-member board of directors. Its mission is “preserving, for public enjoyment, the aesthetic and spiritual heritage of certain horticultural and natural landscapes on Mount Desert Island.” The organization also cares for two gardens in nearby Northeast Harbor – the Asticou Azalea Garden and the Thuya Garden – and manages 140 acres of open space near Eliot Mountain.

Rockefeller, who has homes in Manhattan and Westchester County, New York, is an international banker and philanthropist. He has summered at his family home in Seal Harbor since he was a child. His parents purchased their first home in Seal Harbor in 1910.

“This magnificent state and its wonderful residents have been such an integral part of my family’s history. It is my hope that the public should forever benefit from this beloved tract of land. I am delighted to make this gift to all the people of Maine,” Rockefeller said in a statement.

Rockefeller was born June 12, 1915, the son of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Chase Manhattan Corporation for many years. The philanthropist, whose wife, Margaret, died in 1996, is the oldest living member of the Rockefeller family. He still owns a summer home in Seal Harbor, on Mount Desert Island, where he spends most of his holidays and the entire month of August, his family says.

Rockefeller’s daughter, Neva R. Goodwin, serves as president of the Land and Garden Preserve. She has a home in Seal Harbor. The Rockefellers had six children.

“My father’s generosity will ensure that Little Long Pond and the beautiful land and trails around it will always be open to public access for walking, hiking, horseback riding, and the other outdoor activities that are an important part of the allure of the beautiful state of Maine. What a grand and appropriate way for this wonderful man to celebrate his 100th birthday,” Goodwin said in a statement.

Under the agreement with the Land and Garden Preserve, the Rockefeller property which is situated between Northeast Harbor and Seal Harbor, will never be developed and will remain accessible to generations of islanders, Mainers, and the thousands of tourists who visit Acadia National Park each year.

Rockefeller’s property abuts Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park consists of more than 47,000 acres, including more than 30,000 acres on Mount Desert Island, 2,728 acres on Isle au Haut and 2,366 acres on the Schoodic Peninsula.

“It’s really a spectacular tract in every way. Its size and natural diversity make it so important to so many people on Mount Desert Island,” said David MacDonald, who serves as president and chief executive officer of the Friends of Acadia. “The walk around the pond is very beautiful. Many people start their day there.”

In winter, islanders can skate on the pond or snowshoe through the nearby fields and woods. The land features several hiking trails and carriage roads that extend from Acadia National Park into Rockefeller’s property. The carriage roads are maintained by Rockefeller’s crews.

MacDonald, who also serves on the Land and Garden Preserve’s board of directors, said that arrangement gives Rockefeller more flexibility in his management practices.

While pedestrians and equestrians are welcome on Rockefeller’s carriage roads, bicycles are not permitted on those roads. Bicycles are, however, allowed on the carriage roads inside Acadia National Park.

MacDonald said the land that Rockefeller is donating will be protected from development pressures. Not only would development go against the mission of the Land and Garden Preserve, but any type of development would violate terms of conservation easements that were placed on the property several years ago by Maine Coast Heritage Trust – an organization based in Topsham.

Rockefeller’s land donation stretches from the preserve’s land on Eliot Mountain eastward to Barr Hill and the Stanley Brook Road. It does not currently include the privately owned Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, but that property may be donated to the preserve in the future.

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Thistle

Why is there never any reporting or discussion of the tax breaks these donors receive in return. They are not doing it out of the kindness of their hearts.

Additionally, this property will now be removed from the tax rolls, so local property owners will be expected to pony up for the loss of revenue.

mooncusser99

Oh, boo hoo. How about being a bit gracious?

PaulHutchins

Too bad they don’t make Republicans like David Rockefeller anymore…pity.

Jason Coombs

Well this republican, who is on the Brunswick conservation board is thankful. Paul, why don’t you pony up some money and join me in Cite Soliel next month when I go with the non profit I work with. Have to donate some of your own money as I did but it’s a worthy cause( education and food security). I know since you generalize populations it won’t make you happy but hey worth a try. Great donation to Maine, thank you and happy birthday.

maineincrisis

Or democrats like JFK!!!

paulrwalsh

Thistle asked, “ Why is there never any reporting or discussion of the tax breaks these donors receive in return.”

I have often read about the tax benefits of donations by wealthy benefactors. Regarding reports for particular donors, the tax breaks depend upon the donor’s finances. For this particular donation by David Rockefeller, we won’t know the final numbers until his income tax filings are complete and, thereafter, accepted by the IRS.

If D. Rockefeller is in the highest tax bracket, and this donation qualifies (in full) as a deduction, then he will receive a tax benefit for about 36% of the appraised value of the land. However, since he is now retired, most of his income is not “earned income”. So, presently, his income is probably derived from capital gains, dividends, interest, and rental income (if he owns rental properties). On those types of income he likely pays a tax rate of 20%.

So, overall, David Rockefeller will probably receive a tax benefit of 20% to 36% of the appraised value of the donated land. Meanwhile, appraising the value of that land is a subjective judgement that will be negotiated by his accountants, the “Land and Garden Preserve, the State of Maine, and the IRS.

At present, that appraisal information is not available. But the valuation of the land will be in the public record and in the filings by the Land and Garden Preserve.

However, I see no reason to question the tax benefit that will be conferred to David Rockefeller. He could have profited much more by selling the land. His donation is a wonderful thing. We citizens can now enjoy this land, its pathways, and its vistas.

The terms of the donation, as reported by the Portland Press Herald, require that the land remain undeveloped and available for public access. We should be grateful for Mr Rockefeller’s generosity and for his willingness to forego profit from selling the land to developers.

I am grateful. And I plan to visit soon.

maineincrisis

the liberal left folks….. let give ’em a hand!!!

markusinger

Governor Baxter is surely smiling down upon him today…

seakers

Even if they get tax breaks they are not making as much as they could if they sold it on the open market. So there is at least some kindness of their hearts. I do agree it would be interesting to see what the financial costs and benefits are. You may discover you are incorrect.

mooncusser99

Very generous. Thank you, Mr. Rockefeller.

PaulHutchins

Thank you, Mr. Rockefeller, and may you have many more happy birthdays.

maineincrisis

How dare this rich self serving capitalist from a wealthy family do such a thing!!!

SierraTango

Happy Birthday Mr. Rockefeller, and thank you!

Pepper Boy

So since the land isn’t being donated to the park service they can’t remove the very odd no bicycles rule. It’s not like the people that bike the carriage trails are hellions. But it would be nice to be able to ride the trails all the way to Rt 3 to get to seal harbor.

Just a thought for the Land and Garden Preserve people.

Bruce Amsbary

While this sounds wonderful on the surface, this has been one of the only places on Mt Desert Island you could go with your dog off-leash. I do hope that the National Park Service doesn’t remove that policy of the Rockefeller family and start requiring leashes!